2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers Bridge Vaux-sur-Aure

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This bridge was captured by the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers at 2350 on the 6th June 1944.

The 2nd Battalion SWB landed at Le Hamel with two men drowned and some of the bicycles lost. They moved inland to their assembly area before capturing a radar station and finally advancing to capture the bridge.

LE 6 JUIN 1944 A 23H50
LIBERATION DE CE PONT
PAR LE
SOUTH WALES BORSERERS
(2nd BATAILLON)

The capture of the bridge is mentioned in 2 Bn. South Wales Borderers: extract from regimental history, 1944 June, a transcription of which can be found in our archive.

The forward body moved off down the road without meeting opposition until it reached the Radar Station, which was held by about 4 MGs. To attack was a complex problem, the carriers could not deploy off the road because at that time it was believed that every field was mined; one carrier in fact blew up on the road; there was no observation to enable the mortars and the gunners to fire. There were snipers in the wood around the building who hindered reconnaissance. However, "D" Coy made a right flanking movement and after a little delay, the enemy withdrew leaving burning buildings behind them.

It was now growing dark, and the forward body pushed boldly on through the narrow lanes without encountering further resistance until it reached VAUX-SUR-AURE. There the bridge was seized and held until the rest of the Bn came up to consolidate.
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Listing: 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers Bridge Vaux-sur-Aure

Location

Canton de Bayeux
14400Vaux-sur-Aure
Calvados
France
Longitude:-0.703075
Latitude:49.302706

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